Category Archives: Play With Us

Play Hockey With A Family Friendly Club

Newtown City Hockey Club is the largest hockey club in Victoria outside the Melbourne Metropolitan area. With over 350 members and 20 teams, the Club offers the opportunity for people to play hockey at whatever level they choose.

New Members Are Welcome

The Club welcomes players of any age, and any level of skill or experience. New members are welcome at any time of the year, as there are teams playing in both winter and summer seasons.

Winter season games are April to September, and the summer season is October to February. The winter season is the main competition, with the most participants. The summer season provides a more social environment, and this often makes the summer season a good place to try the game out.

Getting Started

If you are new to hockey, or haven’t played for a while, you could start with one of these options:

Hookin2Hockey – a Come and Try program for boys and girls aged 5 to 12.

Saturday Social hockey – a fun opportunity for boys, girls, men and women to play hockey, There is no commitment to be there every week. It’s a great way for families to play together. This program is run only during the winter season.

Summer hockey programs – includes Mixed Masters (over 35) and Friday Family competitions – both good places for less experienced adults to play hockey.

Training

Team training for the winter season is conducted at Lloyd Reserve, Newtown for the U8 and U10 teams, or at Stead Park, Corio for the U12, U14, U17 and senior men and women. All players are encouraged to attend regularly. Training is not conducted during the summer season.

Do you love playing hockey? Do you love it just for the fun and friendship of the game?

That’s a great reason to play hockey! And there are lots of ways you can participate and enjoy your game.

Want To Play For Australia?

Boys, girls, men and women can play hockey, with the chance to play at higher levels and represent their Association, their region, their State or their country.

Australia has a great reputation and history in international hockey circles, with the Kookaburras ranked no. 1 men’s team in the world, and the Hockeyroos ranked no. 5 women’s team.

So if you aspire to improve your game and maybe play for Victoria or Australia, how do you start the journey?

Training

Training for all teams is held each week during the winter season, April to September. Try to attend as many training sessions as you can. Coaches are there to assist learning and development of skills for you and your team mates. If you have a particular skill you would like to work on, let your coach know.

EYAS (Enhanced Youth Athlete Scheme)

Newtown Hockey Club also offers a series of additional training sessions for junior players during the year. Guest coaches may be invited to present these sessions, with the aim of introducing higher level skills and strategies. These sessions are advertised in the newsletter and on Facebook as they are scheduled.

EYAS with guest coach, Ken Parkin

Hockey Geelong Winter Competition

All teams from U10 upward play in the Hockey Geelong Winter competition, and compete for the Premiership of their division each year. The 2017 season saw the Club win Premierships in U12, U14 and U17 divisions, with Runners Up placings in the Division 1 and Division 2 Senior Men’s competitions.

The Newtown Falcons teams in Division 1 Men’s and Division 1 Women’s competitions are the highest standard teams in the club, and both have had success in recent years. Newtown Falcons Men have claimed Premierships in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and Runners Up in 2017. Newtown Falcons Women finished as Premiers in 2014 and Runners Up in 2016.

Newtown Falcons 2017

Newtown Falcons 2017

Hockey Geelong Representative teams

Hockey Geelong selects junior and senior teams each year which compete in the Hockey Victoria Metropolitan Winter competitions. These teams train each week at Stead Park, Corio, and play home and away matches at Stead Park or at various locations in Melbourne.

Junior representative teams are fielded in u14 and U16 boys and girls competitions, with ages taken at January 1, 2018 for the 2018 season. Games are played on Friday nights, so players can play in both local competitions and Hockey Geelong teams. Coaches are appointed by Hockey Geelong to guide the development of these teams.

Nominations for the Hockey Geelong 2018 junior representative teams close on February 1, 2018. Selection trials will be held on Sunday, February 4 and 11, 2018.

Senior representative teams are entered, with 2 teams each for men and women. The 2017 season saw Hockey Geelong win the VicLeague 1 Women’s Premiership, and this team will play in the Premier League competition in 2018. Hockey Geelong teams are also entered in the Masters competitions (over 35) for men and women. For further details of the senior and Masters teams, contact admin@hockeygeelong.asn.au.

Both junior and senior players may also participate in Hockey Geelong teams which compete in the Victorian Country Championships.

Junior Country Championships will be held in Melbourne on May 19 & 20 (date to be confirmed). Competitions are available for U13, U15 and U17 boys and girls teams. Stay tuned for information from Hockey Geelong regarding these teams.

Senior Country Championships are held for men and women on the Queen’s Birthday weekend, June 9 to 11. The Men’s Championships are held in Melbourne and the Women’s Championships at Stead Park, Corio. Teams are available for open men and women and Masters women (over 35).

Western Wildcats Regional teams

Regional teams are selected for U13, U15, U17 boys and girls teams to compete in the Victorian Junior State Championships to be held July 3 to 6. The Western Wildcats teams include players from Hockey Geelong, Altona Hockey Club, Footscray Hockey Club and Werribee Hockey Club. Nominations for these teams are due on April 23. Selection trials will be conducted for these teams on April 29 and May 6.

Western Wildcats U13 State Champions

Victorian teams

Hockey Victoria selects junior and senior teams for both Indoor and Outdoor National Championships. Teams are selected for U13, U14, U15, U18 and U21 teams, as well as Senior (Australian Hockey League) and Masters teams. Nominations are called for these at various times during the year.

Registrations for the 2018 Under 13 Draft Camp, to be held on April 5 & 6, are open and close on March 30. The Draft Camp is a two-day program which helps players refine existing skills, and learn new and exciting skills and concepts. The Draft Camp provides a pathway to potential selection in the Hockey Victoria U13 Academy.

Hockey Victoria Country U21 and Senior teams are selected from players participating during the Senior Country Championships. These teams then compete in the Australian Country Championships.

School Sport Victoria select teams to participate in the School Sport Australia Championships for 12 & Under boys and girls, and 16 & Under boys and girls. Nominations for the 2018 12 & Under teams are now open, and close on March 1.

Hockey Victoria Country team members

U13 Hockey Victoria White

Hockey Victoria Masters 50+

School Sport Victoria 12 & Under – Gold medal at the Pacific School Games

Australian teams

Players may be selected to represent Australia in international competitions, generally after having played in a high level State team.

Hockey Australia Country U21 or Senior teams are selected from players participating in the Australian Country Championships. 2017 saw the Country U21 team participate in the Oceania Challenge Cup against teams from New Zealand, Fiji and Japan.

Don’t Forget The Umpires!

Umpires also have the opportunity to develop their officiating skills by participating in these higher level competitions. Tutoring and training is available for umpires for Hockey Geelong competitions and higher level competitions.

Check the education opportunities for umpires and coaches which Hockey Victoria provide. More details ………

Sean Fitzgerald – On the Umpires Panel at the Junior State Championships

For the love of hockey

With National Hockey Week hitting off on June 17, we took to the field to find out what makes our junior competition players so enthusiastic about this great game. And they’re not shy with their responses. They love playing in a team, making friends and learning new skills. And some of them are pretty keen about oranges at half time too.

Talk to the young players – and junior coaching and umpiring representatives – and you’ll hear words like teamwork, respect, friendship, fitness and fun. They’ve also got a few interesting ideas about how to improve the sport they love.

National Hockey Week is all about celebrating and promoting hockey. Thousands of people across the country support hockey in clubs such as Newtown City Hockey Club every week. They are players, coaches, umpires, officials and volunteer helpers. They line fields before play and line-up on fields to play. They run canteens and barbecues, training sessions and teams, matches and clubs and carry out a myriad of other jobs so hockey continues to thrive.

Our Newtown City Hockey Club juniors are thriving too as they grow in their sport. One player put it simply: “Hockey makes me feel happy.”

Leo, Under 10 player

What’s the hardest thing about playing hockey?
Learning all the original tricks and then learning better ways to do them at training.Has hockey made a difference to your life?
It has made quite a big difference, meeting new people and also maybe playing against them too. I think it’s made me a lot more confident.What new rule would you introduce?
Maybe being able to legally trip people with your legs. It would make it a lot easier to defend.If you were in charge of Newtown City Hockey Club what would you do?
I would make it that any time we played, everybody got a `best player on the field’ award.

Matilda, Under 8 player

What is your favourite position on the hockey field?
Centre, because you get to run a lot.What’s the best part of being in a hockey team?
Using team work. And it’s fun to play with other people. It makes me feel happy.If you were Newtown City Hockey Club president, what would you do?
I’d make sure there was hot chocolate at half time!

Drew, Under 8 player

What’s the best part of playing in a team?
That you pass the ball to each other and call to each other.What’s your favourite rule?
Don’t touch the ball with your feet!What should you remember when playing hockey?
Always keep your eye on the ball.

Nate, Under 10 player

Favourite hockey position?
I like being in the centre, because you run a lot and you get to attack more. It’s exciting.How could we encourage more kids to play hockey?
I’d persuade them. I’d say, hey this is a really fun sport to play. It makes you fit and healthy and at half time you get oranges.What’s one of the things you like about Newtown City Hockey Club?
Half-time oranges. Do all the other clubs get oranges like us? And I just like playing and training. It’s really fun.How important are the umpires?
They are very important because if you didn’t have umpires we’d all be running at the ball and pushing people over. We all need to respect the umpires.

Baxter, Under 8 player

What do you like about playing hockey?
That it’s outside.What’s your favourite hockey position?
Being left wing. I don’t really know why, I just like it.What new rule would you bring in?
When you goal you could lift the ball.

Pollyanna, Under 8 player

What’s the best part of playing hockey?
When you make new friends. That means you have even more people to play with at hockey. I like that.Why is your coach so important?
She is very important to us. She keeps us going so we can get better and better. She teaches us how to get around the player in front of us, she teaches us to pass to our teammates. She teaches us lots and lots of things. I do like her a lot.What are some important rules in hockey?
That you keep your eye on the ball and your stick on the ball. And that you treat everyone nicely, like you treat your family.What would you change about your uniform?
I’d make it more colourful. Maybe aqua? But I’d keep the skirt as it is.

Amelia, Under 10 player

What can hockey teach you?
To work with a team and when you play you learn the skills of the game.How long will you play?
Well, I’m eight now, so maybe until I’m 45?What do you like most about hockey?
Scoring goals. Hockey makes me feel happy. I like playing when kids on my team are from my school.

Avah, Under 8 player

Where do you like playing on the field?
In the goals because then you can stop goals. It is lots of fun.If you were boss of Hockey Australia, what would you do?
Make your own rules. But I’m not sure what they’d be.

Jarret, 12 ½, junior umpire:

How long have you been umpiring?
This is my first season umpiring and my fifth game. I started because I wanted to do something else for the club and get more involved. Mum said ‘Why not umpire?’ and I thought that’s what I’d do. It’ll make me a better player, I’ll know the rules more and be helping out the club as well. It’s all good.What’s the hardest thing about umpiring?
Getting the kids to listen to you. Sometimes you blow the whistle and they keep playing. You have to get their attention.What do you like most about umpiring?
Probably seeing all the kids’ smiling faces. That’s really nice and shows they’re having fun. It was the same for me at their age.

Anna, Under 10 player

If you were in charge of Hockey Australia, what would you do?
Probably get some more assistants so I could go on a nice holiday, spend time with my family and knit a lot!What is one of the hardest things about playing hockey?
Probably with the umpires when they whistle and wave their hands around everywhere and you wonder what’s actually happening.What do you like about hockey?
I actually like being goalie for some reason. I get to watch the others running up and down the field getting tired while I stand there. And it’s fun to fall over.

Oscar, Under 8 player

What do you like most about playing hockey?
Defending people, because then you can score a goal.

Ruben, Under 10 player

Why do you enjoy hockey?
It’s a very fun sport and easy for everyone to play. It’s all about playing as a team.If you were boss of Newtown City Hockey Club, what would you do?
I would copy what Claire (Barnes) and Kellie (Barnes) do. I think they do a good job, because they think about the kids and help them to play even better.Hardest thing about playing hockey?
If you are against a really good team, you need to have confidence. Don’t be scared of the team just because they’re bigger or older. Just do your best.

Eliza, Under 8 player

What do you like best about being part of Newtown City Hockey Club?
That I get to score goals. I like that, because it’s fun.What are some really important rules in hockey?
You need to be five metres away from the ball (at a free hit) and pass to each other.What would make half time better?
Watermelon!How would you encourage more kids to play hockey?
Just say `Do you have a hockey stick?’ and then ask them if they have a hockey ball. If they have those things then they can play hockey. And then I’d tell them to come and play for our club!

Kellie, coach of Under 8 and Under 10 teams

What do you like about coaching junior teams?
I enjoy teaching and I enjoy helping kids learn to play hockey and understand the game. And obviously it’s very rewarding to see the improvement the kids have made by the end of the year and even see them applying what they’ve learnt from the first half of a game to the second half. When you get a kid who has really incredible skills it’s just lovely to watch. It’s all really rewarding.What do you love about the game?
It’s a really accessible game – easy to pick up from no knowledge. I enjoy the running I get out of it because I love running. And I love being part of a team. I also love that hockey is equal in terms of males and females and from the top our males and females are paid the same amount. I’m really happy and proud to be part of a sport that does that.

Come and join our hockey family.

Hockey is a family game, where players from 3 to 70+ can participate – for fun, friendship and fitness.

Newtown City Hockey Club welcomes anyone to come and have a game – whether you have played before or not. If you think you might like to play but would like to try it out before making a commitment, we have lots of ways for you to try out the game.

Games to Play

The Jumping Castle will be a hit with the kids, but the adults can hop on this one too, so don’t be shy.

Great fun for big and little kids!

We have races for everyone, and hockey games to play, with ‘Beat the Keeper’ always a popular one. Adults and children alike can try their hand at some games of skill. Get ready for this hockey season, and purchase your uniform or junior equipment pack.

2017 will again see an intense but friendly rivalry to see who will take home the KLR Cup this year – the Young Guns or the Legends? The 2016 match was a fantastic display of skill which kept the spectators thoroughly entertained.

Who’s going to win this race?

Hockey is great fun for all.

The KLR Cup winners – Young Guns or Legends?

Relax and Enjoy!

The adults can sit back and enjoy the musical entertainment, provided by Rod Whelan and Paul Lishman, members of the well known Geelong band, ‘Tobias’. Or sample the food and a glass or two of some great refreshments. Check out the stalls and displays. We have some classic cars for your enjoyment, or wander around and have a look at the hand made cards, hand painted art, handcrafts and other displays.

There will be plenty of food to keep us fuelled up, with the BBQ always hot and the cake stall a great place to check out for that after lunch treat.

2017 will again see an intense but friendly rivalry to see who will take home the KLR Cup this year – the Young Guns or the Legends? The 2016 match was a fantastic display of skill which kept the spectators thoroughly entertained.

The first ever National Hockey Week, from Saturday May 28 to Sunday June 5, is about celebrating the achievements of our members and of the Australian men’s and women’s hockey teams – the Kookaburras and the Hockeyroos.

With the 2016 Summer Olympics coming up in August, we will all be glued to the television to watch and marvel at the skills of the Aussie players, and cheer them on to a medal.

National Hockey Week is also a great chance for us to share hockey with the Geelong community – and show why it’s such good fun!

The Kookaburras are currently ranked the #1 men’s team in the world, and the Hockeyroos are not far behind at #3 in the women’s teams rankings. Jamie Dwyer, named International Player of the Year on 5 occasions, has indicated the Rio Olympics will be his last tournament for Australia, but even at the age of 36, he still has silky skills and is a danger to the opposition in any game.

Hockey is:

Having fun

Open to everyone

Co-operating with your team mates

Knowing the skills

Exciting and energetic

Young and old players

Why Play Hockey?

Playing a team sport such as hockey provides lots of benefits:

Fun

Friendship and camaraderie

Keeping active and fit

Leadership, co-operation and teamwork skills

Respect for other participants and varying levels of ability

Development of skills and self-esteem

A chance to play for Victoria or even Australia

Who Can Play Hockey?

Anyone from the age of 3 to 70+ can play hockey. Newtown City Hockey Club welcomes anyone who would like to have a go at hockey, regardless of previous experience or skill level.

When Can I Play Hockey?

The winter season (April to September) is the main season but hockey is also played during the summer (October to February) in modified formats. Players can join a team which plays in a regular competition, or can join a social game where teams and attendance are flexible.

Future Kookaburra or Hockeyroo?

We would love to discover a future Kookaburra or Hockeyroo in our community during National Hockey Week. It might even be your son or daughter, so bring them along to our free Hook In 2 Hockey program on May 31. Check the program details here.

Future Kookaburras or Hockeyroos?

Hockey really is a sport for the whole family, and the Newtown City Hockey Club loves to see our families all playing together.

So if you are an adult who used to play hockey at school, and wouldn’t mind having a game again, or even if you have never played before – we would love to have you join us for our Saturday Social game at 1.00 pm each Saturday. We can loan you a stick and you don’t need a uniform – and it’s half-field so you don’t need to be superfit.

Shop Just Hockey Catalogue

Upcoming Events

Come and Try Hookin2Hockey is a great way for children to find out about hockey and see what fun it is. Boys and girls aged 5 to 12 are invited to come and join a Hookin2Hockey program. There is no commitment to continue – unless you really enjoy it. It … Read more →

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Hockey is a great way to be active, make new friends and have fun – all at the same time. Girls aged 7 to 9 are invited to join our teams for the U10 Girls Hockey Carnival. Beginners and experienced players are welcome. New players … Read more →

Come and Try Hookin2Hockey is a great way for children to find out about hockey and see what fun it is. Boys and girls aged 5 to 12 are invited to come and join a Hookin2Hockey program. There is no commitment to continue – unless you really enjoy it. It … Read more →

Season Launch 2018 Newtown Hockey Club loves hockey, and we welcome new members any time of the year. The season is about to start so come and join the fun at the 2018 Season Launch. If you are a Newtown Hockey Club member, come along, and bring your family and … Read more →

The Kookas Midweek Junior hockey program provides another option for children to play hockey without clashing with traditional weekend sports activities. Hockey is a great team sport, and it’s lots of fun and a good way to keep active. Many children have regular weekend activities and are unable to participate … Read more →